Arsenal have reportedly entered “concrete talks” to sign long-term Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko but the move could still prove a blessing in disguise for the Red Devils.
Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) reveals the Gunners have made “contact” with the 21-year-old striker who has scored 21 goals and provided six assists for RB Leipzig this season.
Standing 6’4, and possessing excellent speed and acceleration, while retaining a strong technical base, Sesko offers the quintessential prototype for a modern centre-forward.
He can lead the line; he can offer a threat in behind; he can help link play and he can finish thunderously off either foot, all while being taller than most centre-backs he comes across.
At 21, Sesko is still developing as a player and he is far from perfect in many areas, but the scope for improvement towards becoming one of Europe’s best strikers is obvious. And it’s this reason why so many clubs across the continent are tracking the Slovenian international.
United have a long-standing interest in Sesko and came close to making a move for him last year. Reports suggest he is under consideration again this summer as Old Trafford officials prioritise a new number nine for Ruben Amorim.
But it appears Arsenal have struck first in the race for Sesko with the recruitment team at the Emirates, as well as Mikel Arteta, huge fans of the 21-year-old.
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCL | Arsenal are now in concrete talks with RB Leipzig regarding Benjamin #Sesko!
Marcel Schäfer and Andrea Berta are in contact. While Arsenal are also monitoring other strikers such as Viktor Gyökeres, their pursuit of Sesko is serious. Mikel Arteta is a big admirer… pic.twitter.com/xqzXj38jzJ
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 23, 2025
Tweet: “EXCL | Arsenal are now in concrete talks with RB Leipzig regarding Benjamin #Sesko!
Marcel Schäfer and Andrea Berta are in contact. While Arsenal are also monitoring other strikers such as Viktor Gyökeres, their pursuit of Sesko is serious. Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the 21 y/o forward from RB Leipzig.
His release clause for the summer stands at €80 million. Deal on.”
Arsenal had been thought to be prioritising a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres – another target at Old Trafford, given the Swede’s close relationship with Amorim during their time together in Lisbon.
But the fact that the Gunners are now making advances on a move for Sesko, whose contract with Leipzig contains a £67 million release clause, would suggest their pursuit of Gyokeres has been put on the back burner.
This could, by implication, push United to the front of the queue for the Sporting star with a package worth around £55 million thought to be sufficient to secure his signature. A bad week for Amorim may, just may, be about to get a whole lot better.
Featured image Luciano Lima via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
